Middle English Dictionary Entry
tor-fer(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | tor-fer(e n. Also torfar(e, -for, -phere, tourfer(e, (N) torfir, -foir, -fur(e, turfur; pl. torfers, etc. & torfere. |
| Etymology | Chiefly N & NM. ON: cp. OI tor-fœra or tor-fœri; cp. ME tor(e adj. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Hardship, misfortune, trouble, distress; also, a hardship, difficulty; (b) physical suffering, torment; also, a physical torment; (c) a disaster; (d) obstructiveness, ill will.
Associated quotations
a
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)8662 : Men has me dun wrang and torfere [Frf: torphere].
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)2582 : Thow betydes tourfere..Bot thow tell me tytte and tarye no lengere.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)4280 : In care am I leuyde..In a tenefull tym this torfere was rereryde.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)431/160 : Ow! I trowe some torfoyr is be-tidde vs!
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)1193 : Ȝit for na torfar him tid Tyre wald he noȝt leue.
- c1450(?a1400) Wars Alex.(Ashm 44)4101 : A twenti dais ouire ten with torfare þai ride.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)3757 : Þen of sum torfurs men may tell, qwylke..to hym be tyde.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)14370 : Why suld we not als stably stand when tenys and turfurs tydes vs tyll.
- c1450(a1425) MOTest.(SeldSup 52)16400 : Kepe his law..þen sall no torfure [vr. torfor] þe be tyde.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)13322 : Now I told haue the torfer þat me tide hase, Syn I turnyt fro troy, of tempast & other.
b
- a1400(c1300) NHom.(1) Gosp.(Phys-E)p.158 : Than pin we our bodye With torfir and with martyrye.
- a1400(a1325) Cursor (Vsp A.3)20965 : Mani war þas ilk torfere [Göt: tat ilk torfer], Þat he gun drei..Apon his aun flexs and blod.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)432/174 : So sore was he bette..With scourges and scharpe thornes on his heede sette; Suche torfoyr and torment of-telle herde I neuere.
c
- a1425 NHom.(3) Leg.Suppl.Hrl.(Hrl 4196)48/257 : Ane erthdin bigan..And all þe folk..cried..Þat..all torfers þat þore bityd Was for þe euyl dedis þat he did.
- c1440(?a1400) Morte Arth.(1) (Thrn)3451 : Some torfere es tydde, sen thow fro home turnede.
- c1460 MOTest.(Lngl 257)9770 : A torfer in that towne betyd..A myscheve..meved theym omell.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)5672 : The Troiens..þes tourfer beheld, How the fflete of þere fos fell to þe bonke.
d
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)2033 : Antenor..rekont..all þere rogh speche: The proude wordis & þe prise of Pelleus..The tene & the torfor of Telamon.